Two weeks passed quickly as Ethan moved Grace into a quiet cottage downtown.
He hired a prominent family lawyer to review his father's original trust fund.
They met inside a formal legal conference room overlooking the city sky.
Ethan: Can my mother legally strip my trust fund over this?
layout around the polished wooden table was filled with legal files.
Lawyer: Your late father's will was very specific about family heirs.
Grace sat beside Ethan, holding a folder of medical records tight.
Grace: I do not want his money, sir, just safety for my child.
Lawyer: This isn't just about money, Grace; it's about your child's legal rights.
The heavy doors opened as Eleanor entered with her own high-priced legal team.
Victoria followed right behind Eleanor, looking confident and smug.
Eleanor: You are wasting your time and money on this foolish lawsuit, Ethan.
Ethan: The truth will be settled today once and for all, Mother.
The lead arbitrator took his seat at the top of the conference table.
Arbitrator: Let us examine the terms of the Vance family trust agreement.
Eleanor's lawyer placed a signed paper onto the center of the table.
Lawyer: Grace signed a waiver relinquishing all claims against the estate.
Grace gasped in surprise as she looked at the document on display.
Grace: That signature is a complete forgery, sir!
Ethan leaned forward and grabbed the paper to inspect the handwriting.
Ethan: My mother forged her name while I was overseas!
Eleanor shifted uncomfortably in her leather chair, adjusting her gold necklace.
Eleanor: That is a preposterous accusation with no proof whatsoever.
Ethan pulled a digital recording device out from his jacket pocket.
Ethan: I recorded our conversation in the mansion library two weeks ago.
He pressed the play button on the small device without hesitation.
Eleanor's voice rang out clearly across the silent conference room.
The recording captured her admitting she offered money to cover up the baby.
Victoria turned her head quickly to look at Eleanor in sudden shock.
Victoria: Eleanor, you lied to me about this whole situation!
Eleanor: Victoria, quiet yourself right now in front of these men!
Victoria: I am not marrying into a family built on legal fraud!
Victoria grabbed her expensive purse and walked out of the room instantly.
layout of the room changed as Eleanor's lawyers whispered in panic.
Arbitrator: Mrs. Vance, this recording changes everything regarding the estate distribution.
Ethan wrapped his arm around Grace's shoulders with deep pride.
Ethan: You cannot run this family with lies anymore, Mother.